The Associated Press reports that Kool-Aid Man has gotten a makeover. While the old Kool-Aid Man was an actor in a foam costume, the new mascot will be computer-generated. According to The AP, Kool-Aid Man will attempt to convince consumers that “he’s just a normal guy.” Fortunately for children and viewers wishing to be nostalgic, the Kool-Aid Man will continue to crash through walls.

According to the Hastings Museum, Kool-Aid began as a liquid concentrate known as Fruit Smack. In 1927, Fruit Smack’s inventor Edwin Perkins figured out how to purge the liquid from the liquid concentrate so that the powder drink could be marketed under the name Kool-Ade (later Kool-Aid). The Hastings Museum says that Kraft Foods was responsible for turning the Kool-Aid pitcher into the Kool-Aid Man.

The AP points out that the Kool-Aid Man’s makeover is likely an effort to rebrand the product to compete with Kraft Foods’ popular liquid flavor enhancer MiO. The AP notes that people are quickly growing found of MiO and other liquid flavor enhancers because the user can control the amount of flavor that is added to the drink.

AdWeek’s Robert Klara writes that Kool-Aid’s success has always centered on the drink’s “crazy colors” and less about taste. Klara says that when Kool-Aid Man was introduced to consumers, it was the smiley face and “crazy colors” that sold the drink. It’s unclear at this point whether the new Kool-Aid Man will continue to highlight the drink’s visual appeal, but something needs to be done to boost the brand’s U.S. sales.

Citing market researcher Euromonitor International, The AP reports that Kool-Aid’s U.S. sales dropped 5 percent to $338 million in 2012.

Erica Rendall, senior brand manager at Kraft Foods Group Inc., told The AP that the new Kool-Aid Man will have a more fully developed personality so people have an easier time relating to him.

In one of the new Kool-Aid Man’s upcoming ads, the mascot will compare putting his pants on to deciding what flavor of Kool-Aid mixes to use.

Kool-Aid is so popular that the phrase, “don’t drink the Kool-Aid,” was widely used as another term for blind obedience after the tragedy at Jonestown.

What’s made Kool-Aid successful? Do you like Kool-Aid Man’s makeover? Will the Kool-Aid Man still shout his famous “Oh Yeah!” tagline? Did you drink Kool-Aid as a kid? Share your thoughts, comments and experiences in the comments section.